Zentrum Paul Klee

The Zentrum Paul Klee stands on the eastern edge of Bern, designed by Renzo Piano. Its three curved buildings rise and fall like hills, blending into the surrounding landscape. The museum holds about forty per cent of Klee’s entire painted work. Nearly 690 pieces came from his daughter-in-law Livia Klee-Meyer in 1997. More works followed from the family, the Paul-Klee-Foundation and private lenders. The collection grew large enough to need a permanent home. In 1998 Bern chose the Schöngrün site and commissioned Renzo Piano the same year. A first design appeared in 2000 and the building opened in 2005. A community garden was added in 2021. Each of the three hills serves a purpose: Hill North holds Creaviva, an art studio for all ages. Hill Center contains the main exhibition spaces. Hill South stores the archives and reserve collection. Visitors walk through softly lit rooms where Klee’s paintings hang. Outside, the rolling shapes echo the distant hills of the Bernese Mittelland. The garden offers benches and paths for quiet reflection after viewing the art.